Ch.215Chapter 8. Forming a Contract with Yoon Iseon

Abilities are truly mysterious.

I haven’t mastered abilities completely, but the more I learn about the world of abilities, the more wondrous it seems.

“Phew…”

Yoon Yi-seon, having exhausted all her magical power, slowly descends.

The pink flames surrounding her fade away, and soon her original appearance emerges.

“…This feels strange.”

Yoon Yi-seon made a sad face at how her sleeves and ankles now fit perfectly with her clothes.

“Being taller was so comfortable, but now that I’m back to normal, it feels awkward.”

Yoon Yi-seon rotated her wrists and ankles, repeatedly lamenting her shortened limbs.

Having returned to her original form from her preferred appearance, she seemed quite disappointed.

[You’ll use less magical power once you get used to it. Right now you’re using magic to maintain your S-class form, costume, and combat techniques, but someone at your level could potentially maintain transformation constantly.]

“Really?”

[It’s simple logic. If your natural mana recovery rate exceeds the consumption rate, problem solved.]

As long as mana can be replenished in Yoon Yi-seon’s mana reservoir faster than it leaks out for transformation, that’s all that matters.

[Your mana capacity is so large that you can store plenty of mana normally. Since this is your first transformation, you’re not familiar with mana consumption, but if you use mana efficiently, you could maintain that form 24 hours a day.]

“Really?”

[I guarantee it. Though this assumes ‘normal circumstances.’]

If there’s no need to use mana.

If there’s no need to act as a hero.

In other words, if Yoon Yi-seon lives like an ordinary person rather than an S-class ability user, she could maintain her transformation indefinitely.

[But you’d fight when needed even if it meant reverting to your original form, wouldn’t you?]

“Yes. Partly because of my student council president duties, but also because I aspire to be a hero. It would be absurd for a hero who helps everyone to not step up because of personal desires.”

Yoon Yi-seon placed her hand on her chest and smiled refreshingly.

“Thank you, Goblin. Thanks to you, I can save more people and help more people. I’m grateful for everything else too, but I wanted to thank you for the most important thing first.”

[I should be the one thanking you.]

When Yoon Yi-seon officially rises to S-class, it will become a major public issue, and during that time, I can take care of my business.

[Yoon Yi-seon. I’m planning to go abroad soon.]

“…Abroad?”

[Yes. It’s an official mission for The Syndicate.]

“What about the academy?”

[That can be handled easily. Anyone can watch over the library.]

It’s unfortunate for the existing library staff, but since I entered the library, the library director increased staff and recruited scholarship students so I could live as a redundant person, so there’s no problem with the library.

[Before I leave, you need to create as much buzz as possible on Sejong Island.]

“…Do you want me to openly show the world that I’ve become S-class? My new form that we created together?”

[Yes. That’s my first request to you, and my first directive as a member of The Syndicate.]

“Drawing aggro.”

Yoon Yi-seon’s eyes began to sparkle.

Seemingly quite interested in carrying out a Syndicate mission, she raised her head like a meerkat, waiting for me to say something.

“How should I draw aggro? Should I go around boasting about being the winner?”

[The Syndicate doesn’t assign missions that reveal your identity, nor do we ask you to suddenly change your behavior overnight. Instead, we’ll give you a mission that makes sense for your situation.]

I displayed a photo on the tablet inside the bunker.

[You’re officially A+ class. You’re the strongest A+ on Sejong Island, and you’re ranked around 10th in South Korea.]

“It’s already been updated. Korean Hero Association official ranking… 11th?”

[There are A+ class heroes who’ve graduated from the academy and are active in the field. Yoon Yi-seon, do you know how the A+ class rating is determined?]

“Well, by losing to an S-class… Oh!”

Yoon Yi-seon snapped her fingers.

“You want me to fight an S-class! Like I was supposed to originally!”

[Right. Originally, if you had beaten Ray Huang, you should have faced Hayabusa.]

That was the flow.

The situation just got complicated when Hayabusa interfered with Ray Huang.

[There’s a way to continue that match. But Hayabusa probably isn’t in her right mind now.]

“Because you messed with her mental state?”

[…I didn’t particularly intend to mess with her mental state, but it’s not stress that even an S-class 17-year-old high school girl can easily shake off.]

The fact that she ruined the finals.

The fact that she turned Ray Huang into a demon.

The fact that the cause was to settle the dispute over the original Rider.

Looking at it closely, Hayabusa didn’t really do anything wrong.

If she did anything wrong, it was simply that the target of her aggro happened to be the Goblin.

[There’s no need to bother with a mentally unstable Hayabusa. In fact, there’s a better stage waiting for you to prove yourself against her.]

“October, the Hero World Cup.”

[Show your power then. If you don’t face her directly, advance to a higher round than Hayabusa to prove you’re stronger than her.]

“I’ll need to get stronger by then. Like Snow White’s level, or even Platinum Sun’s level if possible.”

Yoon Yi-seon narrowed her eyes and looked at me.

“Goblin, I have a question. Are you involved with Platinum Sun, or with Snow White?”

[Do you want to hear the truth and take the red pill, or would you rather think whatever you want?]

“Is it like Pandora’s box?”

[It could be even more despairing than that.]

“……Open.”

Yoon Yi-seon took a deep breath and nodded.

[The three of us served our country together.]

“…….”

[You probably won’t tell anyone else, but I’m telling you this because you’ve become my subordinate in The Syndicate. If you talk about this elsewhere, it won’t be me who comes after you—Platinum Sun will come to silence you.]

“……Served our country?”

Tap tap.

Yoon Yi-seon frantically pushed her thumb into a circle she made with her fingers.

[Yes.]

“Wow.”

When I answered her explicit hand signal directly, Yoon Yi-seon covered her mouth with her hand and blinked.

“……So it’s meaningless to ask who’s the official one. As expected of you, Goblin. Amazing. Taking two S-class heroes at once. Amazing.”

[Amazing? Is that sarcasm?]

“No. I’m sincere. Wow…. The person I admire has taken two S-class women. I’m envious. Really. How far did you go in serving the country?”

[Ulleung.]

“Are you going to marry them?”

[I’m already married.]

“Adultery?! Wow…! You’re telling me this because you won’t let me get away with it if I record this somewhere! At the same time, it means you trust me that much!”

[That’s right.]

I approached Yoon Yi-seon and bent my upper body to face her.

[I’m telling you this information because you’ve accepted my recruitment into The Syndicate. If this information leaks, I will consider you a ‘villain’ and execute you.]

“You’ll use any means necessary to silence me, right?”

[Of course.]

“……As expected of you, Goblin. Someone who doesn’t go easy on women and mercilessly executes villains with serious crimes. Yes. I’ll keep it in mind. I won’t tell anyone. I’m good at keeping secrets.”

Yoon Yi-seon nodded emphatically, unfazed even though our faces were close enough to feel each other’s breath.

“I won’t overstep what you want from the current Yoon Yi-seon, and I’ll do my best to ensure your identity isn’t exposed because of me. And I’ll become stronger as an S-class ability user so that I can contribute even a little when The Syndicate exerts influence in Korea in the future.”

[…Such an excellent answer deserves praise.]

I reached out and patted Yoon Yi-seon’s head.

[Do you want anything? I’m asking because I’m impressed by your lovely answer. If there’s something you want, just say it.]

“Wa, want something…? Ah, um, I don’t have paper right now, oh wait. Paper would leave evidence….”

After some self-debate, Yoon Yi-seon turned her back to me.

“This might seem a bit strange, but.”

Then she lifted her gym uniform slightly from the bottom, showing me her smooth back.

“…Would you sign my back? If you don’t have a marker, your finger is fine too.”

[……Should I just get some paper?]

“No, no! Paper might leave evidence!”

[……Then I’ll use my finger.]

I placed my hand on Yoon Yi-seon’s back.

“Ah, wait a moment.”

[Do you need something?]

“…Are you using your bare hand right now?”

[…Why?]

“Could you… put on gloves…?”

[…….]

What a strange girl.

I reluctantly removed my gloves and then put them back on before signing Yoon Yi-seon’s back. As soon as I finished, Yoon Yi-seon touched her back with both hands and grinned.

“Ah, feeling Goblin’s signature on my body…! Getting a signature that no one has officially received yet…!”

[I could do more if you want.]

“More? What, are you offering to serve the country with me?”

[If you want.]

“…….”

Yoon Yi-seon frowned with a serious face for a moment.

“…I’m okay with serving the country with the Goblin, but I’d prefer if you didn’t take off your mask. Oh, and…!”

Yoon Yi-seon briefly looked down and then raised her head.

“…I think I’d need to grow bigger to handle your goblin club, so could we do it when I’m ready…?”

[Surprising. I was nervous because I thought you’d refuse.]

“…The ultimate goal for a true fan is to marry their idol, right? If I can’t marry you, then other things…hehehe.”

[What if I take off my mask?]

“Ugh.”

Yoon Yi-seon showed genuine revulsion.

“No matter how handsome you are, I’m a fan of the Goblin. I’m sorry, ‘Mr. Do.'”

[Am I being rejected?]

“Yes. You’ve been rejected. I’m Goblin-biased.”

[This is a new experience. Well, fine. As long as you cooperate with me. While I’m abroad, please handle the aggro well.]

“Yes. …Oh right. Why are you going abroad…?”

[That.]

It’s confidential.

[I normally wouldn’t say, but since you’ve joined The Syndicate, I’ll tell you.]

Though it’s confidential.

[I’m going to annihilate Pandemonium’s Southeast Asian branch.]

I can tell Yoon Yi-seon.

[It’s time to return to being The Syndicate’s villain executioner, eliminating villains.]

“……Will we get to see the Goblin from last year?!”

[Yes.]

“Wow…! The Goblin from those days without blood or tears is coming back…! That’s amazing!”

This woman.

She’s been my fan since I was C-class.